After leaving the room, the group was escorted away by the three young masters of the Kageyama clan. Sael had an inkling that things were not going to go the way they wanted.
The moment the Patriarch asked them to leave gave that away. Hence, he continued to feel like they had to take matters into their own hands.
He didn’t know how powerful the sons and daughters of the Kageyama clan were, but he knew that none of them were Ascendants yet. But that wasn’t what made them dangerous—so it mattered very little.
He didn’t know how an all-out battle would turn out, but he knew they had to try. Jynxa could take one; Zahir and Ryan’s combination could handle more than two. He himself could take one, the Marked blade could take one. Ghost of the Grey Lantern was a very mysterious Drifter—even Sael didn’t know his capabilities.
But he wanted to be optimistic, so he’d say two. That accounted for all the sons and daughters of the Kageyama clan, but they weren’t the only problem.
There were also the prestigious Crow Knights and Generals in the clan—those who were comparatively as formidable as the direct descendants and couldn’t be ignored, else it would bring futile damage.
He was worried for a bit. But then, the aim wasn’t to defeat anybody; the aim was to run.
Sael didn’t know why he felt so unsettled and felt like running was the best option. He even almost fought his instincts. But this Sael was a very simple man by nature. He mostly did what he always sensed was right and didn’t do what he sensed wasn’t right.
He was the most uprightly moral person one could find—he was sanity personified. A man who had perfect control of himself.
Over time, he had learned to trust and rely on himself. And today, once again, Sael was going to do just that.
The young masters finally reached a hallway. In the hallway, there were several doors, each leading to different rooms.
The young man—Jiang—who had taken them to the Patriarch earlier turned to them.
"You all can take a room each. When my father is done with his brother, we shall return to fetch you so you can have a proper audience with him."
Sael looked at Jiang and nodded.
"Thank you very much, young master."
Each of them was shown to their room along the hallway; even Nebulous Lord was shown to his room.
Chen, the eldest brother, left earlier, leaving Jiang and Yeon, who walked back from the hallway.
Yeon glanced back and looked at his brother.
"So, that’s it?"
Jiang looked at him inquisitively.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we’re just going to show them hospitality like that?"
Jiang smiled.
"Is there something wrong with that, brother Yeon?"
Yeon shrugged.
"Not really... it’s just unsettling since we have the worst track record with hospitality."
Jiang smiled again and gently held his brother’s shoulder.
"Don’t worry—they shall be well taken care of."
He walked ahead of Yeon, who stopped and looked at the place Jiang had touched him with disgust.
"I hate being touched, damnit."
He dusted his shoulder off with an irritated expression before walking away.
Meanwhile, as they settled into the rooms after the brothers had left, Sael went into each person’s room to relay information to all of them.
When he entered Nebulous Lord’s room, the creature was gone.
Sael stood there at the entrance, a frown creasing his face. None of the windows were open, no signs of anyone leaving the room. So what was wrong?
’Have they taken him?’
But who would dare? It was a monster.
Sael had to remind himself that they were in the Kageyama clan. Things would happen and wouldn’t make sense because people here were absolute lunatics.
He immediately walked out and into Zahir’s room.
"The monster is gone."
Zahir, whose back was facing him, slowly turned.
"Then we look for him. Instead of waiting till dawn to leave... we might as well leave now. This place leaves a harsh irritation in my throat."
Sael looked seriously at Zahir.
"I couldn’t agree more. I’ll fetch the others."
***
The hula hoop of flames rolled around Eisha’s waist, spilling a torrent of fire that collided with her enemies.
She was like a dancer—soft and graceful. The circle flowed from her waist to her grip with the elegance of a performer; her steps were soft-spoken but sharp and incomprehensible.
She twirled the circle in her hands, and as she did, flames flew in arcs and whipped against the robed men who approached her with tornados.
A Knight lunged forward with his greatsword. Eisha shot toward him as if she was going to take the attack head-on. But at the last minute, she faltered to the side and used the circle of flames to tilt his trajectory, countering brute momentum with gentle force.
She drew the Knight in like a beautiful serpent, rolled upon him, and released her circle of flames into a long whip of fire that slung around his neck. As she landed, he was sent flying and crashing against other knights.
The whip of flames lashed away from the knight and swung around with a torrent of fire that collided ruthlessly with everyone who charged in.
The robed men took damage but got up just as fast as they went down. Thus, this battle looked like there was no progress at all, even though it had been raging for a while.
Eisha hated to admit it to herself, but she was slowly growing tired.
Her forte wasn’t battle to begin with. Combat had been a necessary evil she’d had to master to protect herself. She was a much more treasured elf beyond the battlefield.
So getting winded and tiring out was rather expected.
And she wasn’t going to give up just because of that.
Eisha inhaled, exhaled to guide her breath back to a steady pace. Then she moved. The whip of flames circled back to a wheel, and she hurled it forward with crushing force.
The circle became a wheel of flames that rolled into the air and smashed the robed men who released wind blasts, clashing with the rings of flames protecting the child.
It rolled through the air and smashed away the second one and the third one. All three of them flew away simultaneously. Then, in the same fluid motion, it rolled back to Eisha.
She caught it just in time and brought it down on a Knight who appeared before her, lunging his sword from below. Her hand was already descending, so her movement was faster.
She brought the ring of flames upon his helmet, and fire burst and exploded across his face. However, the Knight finished his attack. He extended his hand with devastating force.
Eisha’s eyes widened at the last minute, and she rolled away from the strike. However, blood dripped down from her side, and it stung viciously.
She clenched her hand on the ring of flame and held her side with the other hand, blood seeping through her fingers.
Peacemaker glared with displeasure.
"Oh goodness, what have you done, Aureisha... spilling royal blood is taboo."
He grinned maniacally.
"Aureisha, you shouldn’t spill too much of your blood. It will enrage the Lord of Air. Just give in already."